Story Summary:
- Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB) and UNICEF are expanding the distribution of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to combat anaemia, especially among pregnant women and children.
- The programme addresses high anaemia rates in Kaduna, with 76.1% of women and children under five affected, and over 56.1% of pregnant women suffering from the condition.
- Stakeholders, including various ministries and civil society organisations, will develop a comprehensive plan for distribution, community engagement, and health education, supported by federal funding and a stock of MMS through to 2025.
The Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board (SPHCB), in collaboration with UNICEF, is embarking on an ambitious initiative to expand the distribution of ‘Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS)’ to address anaemia.
At a recent two-day stakeholders’ meeting held in Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Health Commissioner Umma Ahmed urged participants to prioritise the scaling up of MMS to mitigate the adverse effects of anaemia, particularly among pregnant women.
Ms Ahmed emphasised the importance of targeting all pregnant women and children with MMS, noting that both groups are in critical need of these supplements. She highlighted that Kaduna State faces a significant anaemia challenge, with 76.1 per cent of women and children under five affected, and over 56.1 per cent of pregnant women suffering from the condition.
She also reported that 22.1 per cent of men and over 40 per cent of young girls in the state are affected by anaemia. Ms Ahmed pointed out a concerning disparity, where men, typically having greater control over their diet due to income, have relatively better nutritional outcomes compared to women, who often depend on the household’s food provisions.
“This data reveals a troubling imbalance,” Ms Ahmed stated. “Our goal is to reduce anaemia rates to zero if possible, and to shift behaviours towards healthier practices. We aim to address these gaps and promote better health outcomes.”
The health commissioner outlined plans to expedite the availability of MMS supplements, stressing that stakeholder engagement is crucial to the initiative’s success. Participants include representatives from various ministries such as agriculture, health, planning officers, and civil society organisations (CSOs).
“The federal government has allocated sufficient funds to ensure an adequate supply of MMS for distribution to pregnant women. We currently have a stock of MMS, and the initial phase of this programme will extend through to 2025. The focus now is on coordinating efforts across all stakeholders,” Ms Ahmed added.
She explained that the stakeholders will develop a comprehensive work plan covering distribution, community engagement, advocacy, transportation, supply management, and health education across the state’s 23 local government areas.
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